Our Hearts Burn Within Us预览

Betrayal

In this devotion, Luke informs the reader that the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Passover, is approaching. Throughout Jesus’ public ministry, the religious leaders, including the chief priests and teachers of the law, were jealous, frustrated, angry, and afraid of him. Jesus’ message of radical love, forgiveness, justice, and compassion threatened the religious establishment.

The leaders were motivated by their power and wealth. They did not want to do anything that would displease Rome and be considered a challenge to the authority and supremacy of the Empire. Losing their grip on the hearts and minds of the people, they watched their influence wane to the point that Jesus was considered a threat. This made them afraid of the people as they stood by in awe of Jesus' embrace of everyone regardless of their status in society. Jesus loved the people of Israel and the Samaritans. He loved the poor, the sick, the Gentiles, the tax collectors, and the Roman soldiers. Jesus taught others through his example to love and forgive their enemies. He taught us to love God above wealth, power, and hatred.

When Satan entered Judas called Iscariot, the religious leaders found a man on the inside of Jesus’ circle of disciples that could be bought. Judas met with the chief priests and officers of the temple guard to plan how he would betray Jesus. They crafted a plan for Judas to hand over Jesus and in return give him money.

This act of deceit was the greatest betrayal in history. It changed history! Judas played a key role in handing Jesus over to the religious authorities, resulting in his crucifixion. He betrayed his friend and his Lord. For greed and the love of money, he listened to Satan and departed from the fellowship of Jesus and his fellow disciples.

As we reflect on this topic, it is a stark reminder that the desire for wealth, power, and greed are contrary to God. We can be tempted to betray Christ when we esteem material things above our loyalty to God. God must always come first in our lives. Otherwise, we may slip as Judas did down the slippery slope of our sinful nature that rejects Christ resulting in betrayal. If we are not careful, we may slowly but surely turn our hearts away from the will of God and pursue our path.

Prayer

Father, may we ever be devoted to the love of Christ above all other things on earth. May your royal law of love be our guide in a fallen world and the light that shines on the path you have set for us to follow through the leading of the Holy Spirit. Amen.